Health Advantages of Ayurvedic Massage for Newborns

Embracing a new one into the world and into your life can feel overwhelming. You are as new to motherhood as this world is to the newborn. So, it is very important to give the baby the best care. That’s why I bring you this blog, highlighting the benefits of Ayurvedic Massage for your newborn

Ayurvedic Massage for your newborn

One of the most crucial Indian traditions that came from the books of Ayurveda is baby massage or abhyanga. Usually, the elder in the family the grandmother, aaya, or mother used to give the baby an oil massage before a bath. But with the transitions in society and the trend of the nuclear family, baby massage has got sidelined.

Of course, we all know about the benefits of Ayurvedic baby massage in relaxing and calming the baby, inducing sleep, and boosting circulation. But what most of us don’t realize is that it is a 5000-year-old practice that has been going on through generations.

Also Read: Health benefits of daily Ayurvedic massage

Ayurvedic Massage for bow-legs

Recently, a mother of a one-year-old baby girl came to me. She was in a panic because her baby’s legs were curved. It is called bow legs (genu varum) in medical science. Bow legs are a common condition in the first year of a child’s life. 

The baby’s compact position in the uterus tends to cause this. This can be easily corrected with Ayurvedic massages. In most cases, babies get Ayurvedic massage during the neonatal period. Even if the baby has grown up, Ayurvedic massage can help correct the structure of the baby’s leg without any trouble.

Also Read: Foot massage with Maha Narayana Taila

Ayurvedic Massage for pigeon-toed foot

Another easily ignored problem is a pigeon-toed foot, a condition in which the feet turn in when the child stands, walks or sits. The simplest and best way to correct this condition is also Ayurvedic oil massage, the other options being shoes and physical therapy.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Massage for your newborn

Apart from correcting the structure of the baby’s body Ayurvedic massage also helps in:

• Giving the baby a sense of security with the feel of touch.
• Bonding with parents.
• Increases blood circulation and brain development. As the baby’s movements are restricted in the initial months, massaging the baby as per Ayurvedic texts can help him/her in relaxing and stretching.
• Improving the little one’s immunity.
• Boosting digestion and reducing bowel problems.
• Improving colic by massaging the baby helps in getting the trapped gas released.
• Inducing peaceful sleep.
• Promotes healthy skin.
• The oil permeates deep into the tissues and strengthens the organs.

The list goes on…

Once you understand that baby massage is indispensable for the proper growth of the baby its time to check the how and when parts.

How to perform an Ayurvedic massage on a baby?

It is very important to get the message right as the wrong moves can cause more damage than good. It is just like sculpturing a statue of clay when the right-hand movements can create mystic art. From using the right oil to heating it at a particular temperature to moving the hands right, every little thing matters here.

So, here are the steps:

1. Choose a natural oil preferably a plant-based oil like sesame, coconut, olive, or mustard oil Ashwagandha Bala Lakshadi taila or Dhanwantara taila or Ksheerabala taila. The oil shall be 100% toxic-free and should not contain any synthetic fragrances or mineral oils.
2. Place the baby in between your legs.
3. Check the heat in the palms or dip the bottle in hot water.
4. Massage the baby gently with the palms and not with fingers or using high pressure.
5. Use a circular clockwise motion to massage the baby.
6. Starting from the back of the head to the neck, moving down strolling through the back and legs.
7. Use proper methods if you massage the baby’s chest and abdomen.
8. Sing to the baby and make it more fun and relaxing than a medical routine.
9. Don’t continue if the baby is uncomfortable.

When to massage the baby?

The best time to massage the baby is before giving him/her a bath. Make sure the baby is not hungry or sleepy and has eaten a while ago. Massaging can start as early as 4 weeks after birth, it can also be started after that.

You can hire a midwife or aaya to do this if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself. There is always a fear of doing it wrong but the Ayurvedic baby massage is simple, easy, and can be learned.

Massage to newborn babies has been shown to have several benefits:

1. Improved sleep: Massage has been found to improve the quality of sleep and increase the duration of sleep in newborn babies.
   
2. Reduced stress: Massage has been found to reduce stress levels in newborn babies and help them calm down and relax.
   
3. Improved weight gain: Massage has been found to improve weight gain in premature and low-birth-weight newborns.
   
4. Better digestion: Massage has been found to improve digestion and reduce symptoms of colic and constipation in newborns.
   
5. Enhanced bonding: Massage can help promote bonding between parents and their newborns.
   
6. Improved immune function: Massage has been found to improve immune system function in newborns.
   
7. Better neurological development: Massage has been found to improve neurological development and enhance motor function in newborns.
   

Research: benefits of infant massage

There have been studies that have investigated the benefits of infant massage, which often involves using oil to help the skin absorb the benefits of the massage. Here are a few of those studies and their findings:

1. The effect of infant massage on weight gain in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial was a study that aimed to investigate the impact of infant massage on weight gain in preterm infants. The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design, where preterm infants were assigned to either a massage group or a control group. The massage group received daily massages with oil, while the control group received no massage. The results of the study showed that preterm infants who received daily massage with oil gained weight faster than preterm infants who did not receive massage. This study highlights the potential benefits of infant massage, specifically for preterm infants, in promoting weight gain and overall growth and development.
2. Infant massage and behavioral responsivity was a study that investigated the impact of infant massage on infants’ behavioral responses. The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design, where infants were assigned to either a massage group or a control group. The massage group received daily massages with oil, while the control group received no massage. The results of the study showed that infants who received massage with oil showed less stress behavior, improved sleep patterns, and enhanced interaction with their parents compared to infants who did not receive massage. This study suggests that infant massage may have a positive impact on infant behavior and well-being.
3. Infant massage and physiological responses were a study that aimed to investigate the physiological responses of infants to massage therapy. The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design, where infants were assigned to either a massage group or a control group. The massage group received daily massages with oil, while the control group received no massage. The results of the study showed that infant massage with oil was associated with lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and higher levels of serotonin (a hormone associated with relaxation and well-being) in the blood. This study suggests that infant massage may have a positive impact on infants’ physiological responses, potentially reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
4. The effects of infant massage on mother-infant interaction was a study that aimed to investigate the impact of infant massage on the relationship between mothers and their infants. The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design, where mothers and their infants were assigned to either a massage group or a control group. The massage group received daily infant massage sessions with oil, while the control group did not receive any massage. The results of the study showed that infant massage with oil was associated with improved maternal sensitivity and increased mother-infant bonding. This study highlights the potential benefits of infant massage for promoting positive mother-infant interactions and enhancing maternal sensitivity to the needs of their infants. 
5. The effect of infant massage on growth and development was a study that aimed to investigate the impact of infant massage on the growth and development of infants. The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design, where infants were assigned to either a massage group or a control group. The massage group received daily massages with oil, while the control group received no massage. The results of the study showed that infants who received regular massage with oil showed improved growth and development, including increased weight gain and improved motor development. This study suggests that infant massage may have a positive impact on infants’ growth and development.

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